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Updated: Jul 18, 2026
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A Laboratory Method to Measure Contagious Yawning in Rats
Published on: June 14, 2019
Video-induced yawning in stumptail macaques (Macaca arctoides)
Annika Paukner1, James R Anderson
1Department of Psychology, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, UK. ap14@stir.ac.uk
Biology Letters
|December 7, 2006
Summary
Monkeys showed contagious yawning behavior when watching videos of other monkeys yawning. This study provides initial evidence for contagious yawning in stumptail macaques, suggesting a potential link to social behavior.
Area of Science:
- Primatology
- Ethology
- Animal Behavior
Background:
- Contagious yawning is a documented phenomenon in humans and some primates.
- The social and neurological underpinnings of contagious yawning are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of contagious yawning in stumptail macaques (Macaca arctoides).
- To explore potential stress-related responses associated with observing yawning behavior.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-two stumptail macaques were exposed to video stimuli of conspecific yawning and control mouth movements.
- Yawning frequency and self-directed behaviors (scratching) were recorded and analyzed.
Main Results:
- Monkeys exhibited significantly more yawning during and after viewing yawn videos compared to control videos.
- A notable increase in self-directed scratching was observed in response to yawn stimuli, suggesting potential tension.
Conclusions:
- The study provides preliminary evidence for contagious yawning in stumptail macaques.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms and social implications of this behavior in non-human primates.
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